Alicia Keys eyes assassin role

Grammy-winning soul star Alicia Keys is eyeing a role as a ruthless assassin alongside Ben Affleck, in a new action comedy called Smokin' Aces.

The Fallin' singer is also expected to star alongside Ryan Reynolds and Jeremy Piven in the movie, which will be directed by film-maker Joe Carnahan.

In Smokin' Aces, Reynolds will play an FBI agent masterminding a manhunt for Piven's loudmouthed stand-up comedian character. With the comic making plans to testify against the mafia, Keys and a collection of fellow hired killers seek to cash in on the contract on his life, reports MTV News.

Keys recently signed a deal portray piano player Philippa Schuyler in Halle Berry's film based on the book Compositions in Black and White.